In a sign of the times for institutional landowners, the Uniting Church has listed a prominent corner site in Melbourne’s inner north, as part of a broader trend of not-for-profits recycling under utilised assets to align with evolving market dynamics.
Located at 326–332 St Georges Road, Thornbury, the 1,422 sqm* site includes a former church, hall, and cottage, sits within the St Georges Road (Thornbury) Activity Centre and is zoned Commercial 1, allowing for a range of development outcomes including townhouses, apartments, childcare, or commercial uses (STPA).
Located within the St Georges Road (Thornbury) Activity Centre which stipulates an allowable building height of five (5) levels, the site boasts three street frontages and a flexible planning framework and is expected to attract strong interest from developers and owner-occupiers alike. Any applications are subject to approval from all relevant authorities.
The site is being offered for sale via an Expressions of Interest campaign closing Thursday 4 September at 2pm through Hamish Burgess and Joe Kairouz of Cushman & Wakefield, with a price guide of circa $3.5 million.
“This is a rare opportunity to secure a high-profile landholding in one of Melbourne’s most tightly held inner-north corridors,” said Hamish Burgess.
“We’re already seeing strong interest from a diverse buyer pool - from boutique townhouse developers to childcare operators and mixed-use groups - all drawn by the site’s zoning flexibility, connectivity, and proximity to High Street’s lifestyle precinct.”
Joe Kairouz said
“The market is responding well to well-located, mid-scale sites like this. With the church buildings still in place, there’s also potential for adaptive reuse or short-term holding income while planning is pursued. It’s a versatile offering in a suburb that continues to evolve.”
The listing reflects a broader trend of institutional vendors - including churches, schools, and community organisations — reassessing their property portfolios in light of shifting demographics, urban growth, and changing service delivery models.
Mr Burgess said “With Thornbury’s popularity continuing to rise and planning policy supporting increased density in activity centres, the sale of 326–332 St Georges Road is expected to be closely watched by developers and investors alike”.
